Info Cory Petrovcik (PetroGenetics)

[AntiAmy]

While browsing the Boas Classifieds section on Fauna, I came across a sale ad today by Cory Petrovcik, known here as PetroGenetics. He was selling a male 2014 jungle motley het VPI T+ for $1000 shipped. Feeling that this snake looked familiar, I dug up my browser history and made a match. This snake was on auction by Jeremy Stone via ReptileRing.com. The winning bid was $470.00.(http://www.reptilering.com/Listing/...otley-Jungle-het-VPI-T-positive-RARE-USA-ONLY)

Incredibly, the auction ended on Tuesday, August 12th and Mr. Petrovcik has put it up for sale on Thursday, August 14th. After I commented on his sale ad, that listing quickly disappeared. Mr. Petrovcik has a few other ads up, which I suspect are also Reptile Ring auction purchases with higher price tags, but I haven't done the legwork to confirm this.

Buyer beware, we may have a flipper that doesn't observe proper quarantine procedures.

 

[AntiAmy]

I have notified PetroGenetics of this thread via Fauna's PM system.

 

[PetroGenetics]

Mrs. Amy,
It seems like you have gone way too far to bash me on fauna when I have done nothing wrong.

Just in case you were not aware I’ll educate you real quick. The whole world revolves around buying/making products for a low cost to then later sell them for a profit. This is not just for boas this includes literally EVERYTHING. The majority of the people bash the reptile ring because they say boas and other snakes are being sold there “dirt cheap” and are ruining the market value of the snakes listed. But, when someone likes me who has enough balls to invest their own money to try to sell the snakes at a reasonable market value they get called a “flipper”?

I can list a ton of “Big Name Breeders” who buy boas for a cheap price and sell them for a lot higher price tag later down the road.

As far as QT goes, this boa was shipped from Jeremy Stone to a QT room where it has not seen or came in contact with any other boas.

It is obvious that if a buyer did buy at this time the buyer will be told the boa still needs a couple more feedings under my QT before it can be shipped.

To conclude thank you for your concern but I know what I am doing.

Cory P.

 

[hhmoore]

To start, let's make it clear that you have not been bashed here by the OP. This was posted as an info thread; and it is info that many buyers would want.
(I do see potential for problematic posts from either side of the discussion if people handle themselves poorly.)

I can list a ton of “Big Name Breeders” who buy boas for a cheap price and sell them for a lot higher price tag later down the road

The key to that statement being later down the road.

It is obvious that if a buyer did buy at this time the buyer will be told the boa still needs a couple more feedings under my QT before it can be shipped.

With all respect, it isn't obvious...nor was it stated.
You purchased the boa and, upon receipt, quickly posted it for sale. That makes it seem likely that if you scored an immediate sale, you wouldn't hesitate to ship it out. Maybe you would...but, since you admit to knowing what you are doing, I'm sure you understand that 2 weeks is not acceptable quarantine for boas.

A word of advice - don't get so offended by being labeled a flipper after being observed flipping animals. Most of us know that resale happens, and aren't particularly bothered by it. With boas in particular, though, a heavy emphasis is placed on quarantine (and with good reason).
I get the "time is money" argument when it comes to reselling - I really do - especially with live animals, and in the current market; but that kind of flipping can endanger people's collections (even if they practice quarantine)...so, yes, it's a sensitive subject.

 

[Craig Wyatt]

I don't think your upset with his quarantine process as much as you are that he is asking double what he paid. Also it sounds like you are using the word flipper like its a bad word. With out "flippers" the reptile world as we all know it would be very different and not in a good way. Maybe I'm wrong but I think you want that boa and your just upset that you now know for a fact that he is trying to double his money. It's now his boa and he can ask for ever he wants.
Lots of reptiles are imported today and you can find them up for sale tonight. Why don't you start BOIs on all them. Now that would make a little more since to me. Plus then I would believe its about the animal and not about the money.
This post is about the money.

 

[Craig Wyatt]

Plus if this was really about this mans quarantine process there was never a need to mention the money.

 

[AntiAmy]

Thank you, Harald, for beautifully explaining my logic.

The whole world revolves around buying/making products for a low cost to then later sell them for a profit.

I don't think your upset with his quarantine process as much as you are that he is asking double what he paid.

Sorry, but that in itself isn't what irked me. I understand the nature of business, economics, markups, and profit margins. What bugs me here is more of an ethical debate. If you were purchasing non-living goods at wholesale and reselling them at retail prices, I would have no argument in this matter. However, what you're dealing with are living things which are capable of carrying/spreading disease/parasites and suffering/perishing, it becomes a bit of a different matter. As it stands now, our standard snake husbandry procedures suggest a quarantine period to ensure that the specimen is indeed healthy and generally doing well in captivity. You haven't observed this procedure, Cory, as the timeline indicates that you've maybe had this snake for one day before putting it back on sale.

Maybe I'm wrong but I think you want that boa and your just upset that you now know for a fact that he is trying to double his money. It's now his boa and he can ask for ever he wants.

In this case, you're wrong Craig. I did see this boa on auction, and he caught my eye being that he's quite the attractive fellow. However, I didn't even offer a bid on him because he isn't going to fit anything that I'm working toward. IMHO, Cory got him at a great price. Additionally, I don't feel that Cory's asking price is unreasonable. There are no sour grapes here and I don't feel anything personal towards it, just to clarify. The issue is that I saw it as a non-ethical thing to do. He supported my feeling when he promptly deleted his sale ad as soon as I commented on it.

I understand that selling snakes is very much a business, but morally, I feel that the animal's well being should still reign over the almighty dollar. These are my morals, and of course, they will vary from person to person. My reason for indicating the purchase/sale prices is that in combination with the haste to resell, I came to the conclusion that Cory Petrovcik is all about making that almighty dollar. I wouldn't do business with someone whose moral standing clashes with my own. I know that there are others that feel similarly to me, thus the creation of this thread. Those that don't mind may skim over it and not think twice about it.

I respect your right to operate your business how you choose to, Cory, and I wish you all the best. I would suggest completing quarantine in order to guarantee the snake's health and to appease the most buyers, but how you choose to operate is solely at your discretion.

 

[jusmebabee]

Now we must adhere to someone else's QT procedure.
Doesn't take much to get your name in the lights.
Don't like the way someone sells their reptiles post on boi.

 

[PetroGenetics]

I believe Mrs. Amy initial purpose of writing this post was not about my QT methods but was to call me a flipper.

I can ensure you this boa is healthy and is in a QT rack by itself where it will not come in contact with any other boas from my private collection.

As far as shipping arrangements…although it was not clearly stated in my classified ad that the boa would need a few more meals under my QT before shipping, I felt it was unnecessary to put those details in my ad. I told many people who contacted me about the boa those details before I even seen this BOI.

To conclude, I feel this boa doesn't need a 3-6 month QT period. It shows no signs of being unhealthy and was never exposed to any other boas in my private collection.Take in consideration of reptile shows- Do you really think the snakes/animals at shows that were not sold go through a QT period before posted back on the market after the show?

Thanks Cory

 

[scosta56]

I would have to agree with Amy. These are living breathing animals. They are not objects. They shouldn't be treated as such. To have these animals passed around the way they are they definitely deserve some respect and tender loving care. Not to sit in a snake room month after month constantly being quarantined , because their being sold or flipped or whatever. I'm not bad mouthing anyone I completely understand how business works, and part of being a legit business is being honest and upfront with customers. Especially with this day an age anyone can google search images , reputations , anything they want. If I was a buyer of this little guy I'd definitely want to know where he came from/ how he was acquired. For me I could care less about the mark up. If I want an animal bad enough name your price I will pay it. To me the part that would concern me was how many collections he has been threw. I know you said he wasn't exposed, but can you offer a 100% guarantee that the orignal seller who put him up for auction never had him exposed to any other boas ? That would be pretty hard to prove. Anyone can say an animal is in qt for x amount of months, and reality you wouldn't know because you didn't see him in it ,and you can't prove it. I think he is absolutely beautiful, and whatever you decide to charge is entirely up to you being his new owner for the time being. I think Amy Op was in regards to him being passed around like hot cakes and then being put up for sale so quickly after purchase. Which she is entitled to. I don't see your name being ruined here. Just precautions taken for buyers new to the hobby and old that he was an auctioned animal and has been passed around quiet a few times before he finally gets his new permanent home (hopefully). There is nothing wrong with reselling as long as your responsible, and honest from the beginning it won't turn away eyes. I hope I didn't offend anyone just wanted to put my two cents in it. He is a beautiful animal ! Great job on that purchase ! I just think next time to avoid any issues maybe being honest from the jump is best. Have a nice day everyone.

 

[PetroGenetics]

Samantha,

No hard feelings. I understand that this topic is a sensitive subject. I have been nothing but 100% honest since the beginning. I have pictures of this boa in my QT room by it self. I also have pictures of replies I sent to potential customers regarding this snake stating he will not be able to be shipped until after a few more feedings under my own Qt before This BOI was written. This snake is not being mistreated in anyway.

Cory P.

 

[Craig Wyatt]

Ok Amy if that wasn't what "irked" you. And if it was really about his QT process why did you feel the need to mention what he paid for it. And then why are also saying you think he might have made other reptile ring purchases and then raised the prices on those animals too.
Your entire initial thread was about the money accept in the very last sentence you mentioned the QT process.
Your entire initial thread was 3 paragraphs. You don't mention until the third paragraph which was only one sentence long.
Ill say it one more time. This is about the money.

 

[AntiAmy]

I believe Mrs. Amy initial purpose of writing this post was not about my QT methods but was to call me a flipper.

Ok Amy if that wasn't what "irked" you. And if it was really about his QT process why did you feel the need to mention what he paid for it.

Well, to be blunt, I was drawing attention to both. If you review my original post, I did state that "we may have a flipper that doesn't observe proper quarantine procedures." Money comes into play based on the definition of a flipper, which is one who invests in something with intent to quickly resale for profit. It isn't a bad thing when that "something" is real estate or merchandise for retail, but when you're talking about live things, it becomes more sensitive in that these quarantine times aren't fulfilled.

And then why are also saying you think he might have made other reptile ring purchases and then raised the prices on those animals too.

I browse Reptile Ring and feel that I've seen some of Cory's other snakes on there too, but as I stated in my original post, I have not done the legwork to confirm this. I felt that this case is sufficient in making my point. It would be easier for Cory himself to confirm or deny this, than me digging through my browser history to make matches again.



If you had indeed been 100% honest since the beginning, Cory, you would have stated in your original advertisement that the snake isn't ready to exchange hands yet. You didn't, thus there was no way of me knowing. But hey, it could have been an oversight on your part and you just forgot to mention it, just as it is possible that you intended to sell immediately. Nobody knows but yourself, thus I was also careful of my wording: "we may have a flipper that doesn't observe proper quarantine procedures." Additionally, as was stated here before, I made an "Info" thread and not a "Bad Guy" thread.

Whether due to the surfacing of this thread or if it was indeed your original intent, I'm glad to hear that you are putting this boa under quarantine prior to resale.

Now we must adhere to someone else's QT procedure.

I didn't think I would even bother with this, but since I'm already typing away, I'd might as well -- I didn't ask Cory to follow my quarantine procedures, nor did I detail any specific steps that he should follow. But why don't you advise me on the security of a 1 day QT?

 

[PetroGenetics]

Mrs. Amy please re-read my responses. I answered all of your "concerns" regarding this boa in them. You just jumped to conclusions and wrote this info thread about me off of assumptions. It looks like you do this a lot taking a look back at your older threads here on fauna. Like I stated earlier the boa is showing no signs of being unhealthy and is priced at a respectable market value.

Thanks for your time, Cory